In September 2024 we will lead a private group into Dzanga-Sangha National Park, one of most bio diverse locations in Africa and home to lowland gorillas, forest elephants and so much more. This small group safari (maximum of 6) will spend ten nights in the dense forest of Dzanga-Sangha, with five days of lowland gorilla treks, two full days to the famed Dzanga Bai, the ‘village of elephants’, and a few more days of various activities. Please join us and we will explore this lowland rainforest with open eyes, a sense of adventure and cameras at the ready. We have selected our location to create a private safari geared specifically toward serious photography and game viewing. The accommodations are comfortable, the meals hearty and the photographic opportunities abundant. If you are looking for a unique photographic trip that is very different than that of mountain gorillas and savannah safari species, look no further because this is just the trip.

The vast green wilderness that is Dzanga-Sangha National Park has a multitude of habitats. A primary feature is the occurrence of “bais” or salines. These are swampy, grassy clearings in the otherwise dense forest that wildlife visit on a regular basis in order to drink, feed on sedges and grasses, and obtain minerals and salts. These bais range in size from less than a hectare to more than ten hectares and represent the best chance of seeing forest wildlife.

Safari Highlights

10 nights in our comfortable camp in Central African Republic
5 days of lowland gorilla treks
2 full days at Dzanga Bai, the ‘village of elephants’, made famous by National Geographic
This itinerary focuses on a remote wildlife experience in very private areas
Wildlife viewing of animals you have never seen before: the lowland gorilla, forest elephant, bongo if we are fortunate, tree pangolin and many more
Birds include the great blue turaco, African grey parrot, black-casques wattled hornbill, green pidgeon, forest ducks, kingfishers.

The Schedule

September 8, 2024
Arrive Bangui, Central African Republic

Arrive at M'Poko International Airport, Bangui, Central African Republic (BGF). You can either fly directly from Paris and stay the night before, which we can arrange for you, or fly in from Nairobi today. Whatever your choice, we will help you with the arrangements. You will be warmly welcomed and escorted through immigration and to your private charter that will fly you to Dzanga-Sangha National Park.

After your plane touches down, you will be greeted by our lovely staff and will drive to our lodge, which is only a short distance away. The group will have sole use of the lodge for the duration of the trip.

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September 9-17, 2024
Dzanga-Sangha National Park

Over the next 9 days you will have 5 days of lowland gorilla treks and 2 full days visiting Dzanga Bai, as well as the opportunity to spend time with the Ba’aka pygmy tribe, forest walks, boating activities and quality time enjoying this unique forest destination.

The trackers will use their skill and expertise to get you in close proximity to these amazing primates. Deciphering barely visible tracks and signs, as well as keeping and ear open for vocalizations, the trackers have an uncanny ability to anticipate the gorillas’ movements.

When we are not tracking gorillas spending time at Dzanga Bai will reward tired legs with so many forest elephants (loxodonta cyclotis) in one view. Dzanga Bai is a clearing in the forest, where many species gather for the minerals in the muddy water. On our last trip to Dzanga we had more than 80 elephants at one time and it is common to see well over 150. These bai days are extremely special because they are all-day events that require a 45-minute walk through the forest, crossing a deep stream and making your way to the viewing platform. Coffee, small bites to eat and lunch are brought to the platform, making the stay easy and comfortable.

Nat Geo’s Nick Nichols photographed at Dzanga Bai, which means ‘village of elephants’ and put this area on the map for its amazing sightings and diversity. Our time will also include forest walks with the local Ba’Aka, the locals who inhabit the area and are also our hosts, and will include time in the Valley of the Giants, a location with some of the tallest trees in the entire Congo Basin.

Sangha Trinational, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a collaborative protected area between three neighboring countries. Here we will make daily choices for our actives, from spending time in the photo hide, gorilla trekking, forest walks for numerous monkey species, river cruises and more bird species to add to our life list.

September 18, 2024
Dzanga-Sangha National Park to Bangui M’Poko International Airport

Today the group will fly back to the capital city of Bangui, where you can either fly back to Nairobi or Paris.

Gorilla Tracking Information

The gorillas tracked in Dzanga-Sangha National Park belong to one of a few 'habituated' family groups. For many years, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually acclimated them to humans and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them briefly in the wild. The gorillas are not tame, thereby only tolerate human presence for an about an hour each day. Experienced guides accompany us while tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves. These guides will brief you on your arrival on the various aspects of 'gorilla etiquette', but the information contained in this set of guidelines will help you arrive for your track well-prepared, and ready to fully enjoy this unique opportunity.

Gorilla tracking is a year-round activity. The lowland rain forest is moist, and it rains very often throughout the year.

The gorillas cover large distances throughout the day and rarely stay in one area. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group's whereabouts. Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas can vary greatly, from half an hour, up to 3-4 hours before returning to camp. The terrain is much less dramatic than those of the mountain gorillas and the elevation is much lower. At most this is light hiking, which makes many visits possible during the trip. Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. After this, you will return to the park headquarters and camp. The intention is to have a few days of lowland gorilla treks, then a day visit to Dzanga Bai, then another few gorilla treks, then another activity, etc. As the schedule is varied from day to day, your legs will appreciate some days off.

The Cost

The cost of this all-inclusive safari is $13,950 per person. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation and all meals. The single supplement is $1,200.

Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.

What Do I Do Next?
Our groups are small, so space is limited. If this trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to hello@andybiggs.com.

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Lowland Gorilla and Forest Elephant Adventure

Safari Highlights

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